Betfred.com World Snooker Championship SEMI-Final Discussion

[AndrewB]

no good losing sessions 6-2, the greats like O'Sullivan, Hendry, Higgins, manage to get out of bad sessions 5-3 loss at worst, or 4 all,

If that was true, they'd never have lost a match; actually, all three of them have lost a Crucible session 8-0. In 2007, Higgins managed to cope with a 2-6 session in the semi and a 0-6 session in the final, but still won, just as Williams and Davis each coped with losing a session 1-7 in a final.

All that said, I wouldn't bet on Trump now. Although Ding hardly has "more experience of big matches at the Crucible" - neither player had reached the QF before this year.

[attilahun]

I think you are right, but he is young and he is brave and this morning session was his worst at the crucible this year. For me the fact he is so young and full of confidence can be an advantage, as he will not be overwhelmed by emotions in the final. And if Judd will crack in the final, so what, he will crack in the final of the biggest event of them all....

[breakman16]

If that was true, they'd never have lost a match; actually, all three of them have lost a Crucible session 8-0. In 2007, Higgins managed to cope with a 2-6 session in the semi and a 0-6 session in the final, but still won, just as Williams and Davis each coped with losing a session 1-7 in a final.

All that said, I wouldn't bet on Trump now. Although Ding hardly has "more experience of big matches at the Crucible" - neither player had reached the QF before this year.

I put it wrong in hindsight, I meant more big match experience generally, of course all the greats have lost sessions badly before but I dont think Judd has the patience to play safe for ages to get a better chance, he'd rather take an unorthodox shot on to try and get a chance right at that moment, also all the greats of the game have B games, where they can play safe and still get chances and make pressure clearances often, I dont think Judd knows any other game than attack at the moment, shot selection and a better B game and safety game will come with his years of experience I'm sure!!

[breakman16]

I think you are right, but he is young and he is brave and this morning session was his worst at the crucible this year. For me the fact he is so young and full of confidence can be an advantage, as he will not be overwhelmed by emotions in the final. And if Judd will crack in the final, so what, he will crack in the final of the biggest event of them all....

That's true, at least he got there, but you work all your life to get there, your job as a professional sportsman is to make some sort of a match out of it to have some sort of a chance of winning, unless it's like hendry in full flow but 9 times out of 10 the belief you belong there needs to be there going into the match, will be VERY interesting to see how Judd copes tonight!!

[breakman16]

Meanwhile back at the ranch. . . Williams should have had the high break there, Mark King owes him a pint I think for missing that green!!! lol I honestly thought he'd get it then I'd have to eat humble pie as I predicted King's 138 would stand!!

[doorag]

Williams should have won that, unlucky.

[rich45]

I've got an irrational dislike of John Higgins, and I'm not sure why. It could be because he always beats Ronnie thesedays, or the fact he has no charisma whatsoever, or maybe even last year's events that left a bad taste. There is a grudging respect for him somewhere deep inside, but I'm desperately hoping that Williams can beat him.

[doorag]

I feel the same way. If you don't like a player and that player plays as well as John does, that frustrates you.

[Odrl]

That was a crucial frame for Higgins. Williams was starting to look unstoppable until he lost position. I wonder how Williams will respond after the interval now...

[João]

I've got an irrational dislike of John Higgins, and I'm not sure why. It could be because he always beats Ronnie thesedays

Fool. He beats him because he's the better player.

[breakman16]

I've got an irrational dislike of John Higgins, and I'm not sure why. It could be because he always beats Ronnie thesedays, or the fact he has no charisma whatsoever, or maybe even last year's events that left a bad taste. There is a grudging respect for him somewhere deep inside, but I'm desperately hoping that Williams can beat him.

It's good to hear the respect, Higgins doesn't have much charisma, he's a winner, part of being a pro sportsman is trying ur best to win, it's not about taking part at that level, you try to win whatever way suits you, charisma or not, John saying WHERE'S THE CUE BALL GOING!! lol Nothing to do with charisma, its about playing the right shots, at the right time, and coping with pressure, someone who can do all that will be VERY successful, give me a player like that anyday rather than someone who always plays his shots, regardless of score the same way, Ding was great last frame this morning and he's got his reward, a lead!!

[breakman16]

That was a crucial frame for Higgins. Williams was starting to look unstoppable until he lost position. I wonder how Williams will respond after the interval now...

Agree totally, he was floating balls in and looking very dangerous like he was gonna clear up all the time, obviously that's how he used to play in 2003!!! Great frame for Higgins!

[rich45]

He beats him because he's the better player.

Agreed.

I still don't like him though.

[breakman16]

Great break Mark!!! LOVE watching him, prefer him to Ronnie, more like a casual air to him, rolls everything in, he believes he can win, despite what he says of just seeing how it goes and it's good to be in form, he's gonna take some SERIOUS stopping if he carries on like this!!

[breakman16]

Agreed.

I still don't like him though.

I wouldn't say he was "better" I'd say he was better under pressure and at key moments, ability wise, technique, range of shots, breakbuilding, they are the same, but at key moments higgins comes into his own is all! Not a lot really, but at pro level and the standard as it is today it is a lot!!